Electric receptacle guard



Patented May 16, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE My invention relates to guards for electrical outlet receptacles of the type wherein a guard is rotatable or movable relative to the receptacle whereby to selectively position slots in said guard in alignment and offset relation to the slots of the receptacle. Devices of this type are known and have the safety factor which comprises a blocking of the receptacle slots when the receptacle is not in use. On the other hand, such guards provide no protection when an electric plug is plugged in enough for a contact, but not sufficiently to completely cover the exposed portions of the prongs of the plug.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of my invention to provide an improved guard for electric outlet receptacles.

A further object is to provide an improved guard for electric outlet receptacles, wherein means are provided to enclose the prongs of an electric plug even when the plug is but partially seated in the receptacle.

A further object is to provide in an improved guard such as that last described means wherein the guard is movable relative to the receptacle to and from operative and inoperative positions wherein the receptacle slots are respectively exposed and blocked.

A further object is to provide an improved guard which is readily applicable to standard electric fixtures, which is readily and economically manufactured with a minimum of parts, and which is strong and sturdy in use.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of the invention, combination and arrangement of the several parts thereof, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawings in connection with the following specification, wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a front view of a guard according to the invention showing the same applied to an electric outlet receptacle;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring specifically to the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, 9 designates the usual electric plug prong-receiving slots in a conventional dual electric outlet receptacle II]. The receptacle is provided with the usual cover plate H and the cover plate and receptacle are mounted on brackets I2 in a wall, not shown, by screws I3. With the exception of the screws l3,

which may be slightly longer than normal, the structure just described is conventional and forms no part of my invention. While the receptacle it shown is a dual receptacle, it is to be understood that th invention is equally applicable to single receptacles and receptacles having more than the conventional pair of outlet sockets.

The guard according to the invention comprises a cover it which is provided with a pair of laterally-spaced bores l5 extending therethrough, which bores are counter-bored, as at it, to provide, with the bores I5, inwardly-directed annular flanges. A further counter-bore ii is provided adjacent the rear surface of the cover M for a purpose to become apparent. The flanges defined by the counter-bore l6 and bore I 5 are each formed with opposed pairs of notches l8 and I9 therein, with the pairs of notches 58 being offset relative to the notches 59. The notches it are identified by green discs 2! formed or inset in the outer surface of the cover it adjacent each notch it, while the notches is are similarly identified by red markers 2%. The purpose of such notches and identifying indicia will become apparent later.

A cup-shaped guard member 22 of insulating material is rotatably mounted within the counter-bore It in each instance. The guards 22 each comprise a floor 23 and a cylindrical side wall 24, together with a bottom flange 25 comprising an annular extension of the bottom wall 23. The flanges 25 seat on the annular shoulders formed by the counter-bores l6 and Il, whereby to retain he fioors 23 in juxtaposition relative to the forward faces of the receptacle l0. The floors 23 are also formed with a pair of diametrically opposite slots 25 which, in one position, Figure l, are adapted to be aligned with the receptacle slots 9, and in another position, the right hand side of Figure l, are adapted to be offset relative to such slots 53, whereby to block the same. The cylindrical side wall 2 of each guard is formed with a pair of diametrically oppositely-disposed and axial1y-extending extensions N, which extensions comprise finger grips and are selectively extended through an opposed pair of notches l9 or notches l8. As is readily apparent from Figure 1, when the finger grips 27 are positioned in the notches it, the slots 2% and 3 are in alignment and the finger grips are positioned adjacent the red markers 2:3. In like manner, when the finger grips 27 are positioned in the notches i8, they are juxtaposed to the green markers 2! and the slots 26 and S are offset, whereby to block the latter slots.

The flanges 25 of the guards 22 are preferably 53' annular where conditions permit the same. However, when space does not permit continuous flanges, as is illustrated in Figure 3, where the proximity of the twin sockets requires that the partition 28 separating the same be relatively narrow, portions of the flanges 25 are cut away, as indicated at 29 in Figure 3. Such cut-away portions may comprise 160 each, whereby to permit partial rotation of the guards 22 in opposite directions without interference of the flanges.

In manufacturing the device according to the invention, the guards 22 of necessity must beof insulating material and the cover-i i ispreferably of insulating material, as shown. Itshould be noted, also, that the coverld is ofrelatively great thickness, whereby to cooperate with "the guards 22 to provide a space between the front surface or the cover it and the floors fiit ofthe guards which substantially equals the length of the prongs of a standard electric plug, not-shown.

The operation of the device contemplates that the guards 22 will normally be. positioned as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3, at the right hand thereof, when the receptacle it is not in use. In this position, the finger grips 2? are seated in the notches :3, whereby the slots and 9 are ofiset and the latter slots are blocked. In this position, children are unable to gain access to the slots ii, and the latter are also protected against the entrance of dust or dirt, as well as moisture to a certain extent. However, when it is desired to use one or more of the sockets of the receptacle, the finger grips Z? are gripped and compressed inwardly, whereby to free them from the slots l3 and the guard is rotated 90 so as to position the finger grips 2i opposite the slots [9, whereupon release or" the finger grips permits them to spring radially outwardly into the notches iii to lock the guard 22 in a position with the slots 23 and 9 aligned. Thereafter, the conventional electric plug is inserted in the usual manner. By providing a cover it and receptacle 2'2 of substantial thickness and depth, the prongs of the electric plug need not be fullyinserted to be protected, as they are enclosed either by the guards side wall or by the confining thickness of the cover as defined by the counter-bore Thus, while I have shown and described what is now thought to be the preferred embodiment Of the invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of other forms and expressions. Consequently, I do not limit myself to the precise structure shown and described, except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A guard, comprising a separate unit adapted to be mounted over an electric outlet receptacle of the type including spaced slots for the prongs of an electric plug, said unit comprising a relatively thick cover, means mounting said cover over said receptacle, said cover being formed with a cylindrical bore therethrough over said receptacle slots, said cover including an inner surface formed with a counter-bore providing an annular flange with said bore, said flange being formed with at least a pair of circumferentially-spaced notches therein, an outwardly-directed cylindrical cup=shaped guard of insulating material rotatably seated in said counter-bore inwardly of said flange, said guard including a floor, a cylindrical side wall, said side wall having at least one axially outwardly-directed resilient extension selectively extensible through said notches outwardly of said cover to lock said guard against rotation relative to said cover, said floor being formed with a pair of diametricallyspaced slots therethrough, said slots being adapted to be aligned with said receptacle slots with said extension seated in one of said notches, said slots being adapted to be offset with said extension seated in said other notch, and said side walls of said guard and said-cover cooperating to prevent access to-the prongs of a partiallyinserted electric plug.

2. A guard for an electric outlet receptacle of the typerincluding spaced slots for the reception of the prongs of an electric plug, comprising a -relativelythick-cover, means mounting said cover over. said receptacle, said cover being formed with a cylindrical bore therethrough over said receptacle slots, said cover including an inner surface formed with a counter-bore providing an annular flange with said bore, said flange being formed with .atleast a pair of circumferentiallyspaced notches therein, a circular guard of insulating material rotatable in said counter-bore, at least one finger grip, integral with said guard and extending axiallyoutwardly of said cover through a selected one ofsaid notches, said guard being formedwith 2;.1Qair ofspaced slots therein,

and said last-named slots being aligned with said receptacle slotswit'hpsaid finger grip seated in one notch ,and'being oi'lset with said finger grip seated inthe .other: notch.

3. A guard for an electric outlet receptacle of the type including spaced slots for the reception of the prongs, of an -;electric plug, comprising a relatively thick cover,meansrmounting said cover over said receptacle, said cover being formed with .a cylindrical boretherethrough over said receptacle slots, an outwardly-directed cylindrical cupisha-ped guard of insulating material rotatably seated in said bore, saidv guard including a floor and a cylindrical side wall, said side wall having at .least one extension extending axially outwardly of said cover to provide afinger grip, said i floor being formed with a pair of diametrically- .spacedslots therethrough,-means mounting said guard on said receptacle for; rotation relative thereto to and from operative. and inoperative .positions. .wherein said slots of said receptacle ands-guard are respectively aligned and offset, means for locking .said guard in both of said positions, and said side. wallnof said guard being adapted to receive and encircle said plug and 'rearportions ofusaid prongsthereof with said guard in said operative position, and said prongs partially inserted insaid aligned slots.

\ DONALD M. S'IUBBS.

*REEEBENGES 'CTEED ihe following references are of recordin the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

